Talkback: After Billy Crystal's Tepid Turn, Who Would Make the Ultimate Oscar Host?

Some folks out there may have enjoyed Billy Crystal's ninth outing as host of the Academy Awards last night, but his turn was as tepid as James Franco's 2011 "performance" was bizarre. Crystal's Oscars-themed song and dance routine? Dated. The weak banter and soft barbs at Hollywood's gathered illuminati? Snoozeville. Given that the previously and frequently great Crystal was upstaged by the night's random moments (Angelina Jolie's leg, J. Lo's boob, those Cirque du Soleil acrobats) and young, actually funny presenters (the Bridesmaids crew and Emma Stone) it's time to start anew and refresh what's already known as the fussiest night in the film calendar. In other words: Who would make the ultimate, charismatic, hilarious, non-sucky Oscar host? Let's start by taking anyone who already hosted the Oscars off the board, for freshness' sake; that includes 2005 host Chris Rock, who provided last night's telecast with a much-needed jolt of real talk hilarity as he presented Best Animated Feature. Or, say, Ellen Degeneres, Emmy-nominated for her 2006 turn, who was nonetheless all over the tube Oscar night in those movie-themed JC Penney ads. The tradition of hiring comedians to host is a longstanding one that paid off in spades in the days of Bob Hope (who hosted a record 18 shows). But these days even the most daring, subversive stand-ups (read: the funny ones) run up against the stifling sense of decorum perpetuated by the older-skewing Academy; it seems you either get an "edgier" host who dares to push the envelope and draw in the coveted younger demographic -- Bieber alone can't cut it, even if the ill-advised blackface gets press -- or you hire a safe host who won't go too far and bore everyone to death. In fairness to Crystal, he was saddled with an awfully boring script. The few sparks of life only came in the odd ad-lib or when he roasted celebs in the audience, but even that devolved into easy mean jokes. (Leave Nick Nolte alone!) Another past Oscar trend was to cast a slew of famous actors to host the night -- charismatic personalities who split hosting duties and draw in diverse viewers. In 1974 it was the eclectic mix of John Huston, Burt Reynolds, David Niven, Diana Ross; a year later the Academy tapped Sammy Davis Jr, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and Shirley MacLaine. Why not get the modern day equivalent of an A-lister superteam to host? I'm not talking Anne Hathaway and James Franco, but George Clooney! Robert Downey Jr.! Sandra Bullock! Cute little Emma Stone, for goodness sake! Then again, maybe there are celebrities out there who could reinvigorate the Oscars solo: Oprah, for one? The talk show titan was batted around last year as a potential Oscar host before then-telecast co-producer Brett Ratner hired Eddie Murphy (who would also probably be great, if he were to come back). I'd watch an entire telecast hosted by Zach Galifianakis, even if it was a three-hour parade of weirdness on par with his and Will Ferrell's crash cymbals gag. If the Academy's older membership and demographic knew who the hell he was, Louis C.K. would be fantastically entertaining. And then there's Sacha Baron Cohen... I'll turn it over to you, Movieliners -- who would make the perfect audience-grabbing, attention-holding non-snoozeworthy Oscar host... and would the Academy ever bite?

New trailer for Pixar's Brave

Brave, the most recent offering from Pixar, has launched a brand new teaser trailer, by which Kelly Macdonald's feisty princess Merida showcases her abilities having a bow and arrow.The brand new trailer takes the form of merely one scene, as opposed to the usual hotpotch of dialogue and action, and focuses upon an archery contest to find out who'll win Merida's submit marriage.Frustrated using the saps and show-offs competing being her husband, Merida soon takes matters into her very own hands, much towards the chagrin of parents Emma Thompson and Billy Connolly.Have a look in the new trailer, below...[brightcove]1467679956001[/brightcove]The film follows the mayhem triggered within the kingdom following Merida's rebellion, a scenario compounded even more once the youthful princess hastily demands a desire in unknown Smart Lady (Julie Walters).We have still not seen much from Brave to actually obtain the adrenaline moving, but given the standard from the voice cast and Pixar's exemplary history, we are sure they are holding the very best material back for that finished film.Brave opens within the United kingdom on 13 August 2012.

Schweiger taking actioner to U.S.

BERLIN - Multihyphenate German star Til Schweiger is beginning on his most ambitious project so far -- a U.S. remake of his actioner "Schutzengel" (The Mother And Father). Schweiger is pointing and starring inside the German-language film, and expects to build up and provide the remake Stateside with U.S. partners next season via Barefoot Films, the Berlin-based shingle he runs with producer Tom Zickler. Warner Bros. is delivering the film, known to becoming an "emotional action-drama," in Germany on Sept. 27 and may also board the U.S. version. Alexander van Duelmen's Berlin-based A Company has acquired rights for Russia, where Schweiger, Germany's leading star, also likes major box-office clout. The film is out utilizing a Company's Moscow-based distrib Gala Media & Film Intl. "Schutzengel" is allotted at E7.5 million ($9.85 million) and contains already guaranteed $4.13 million in federal and regional subsidy gold gold coin. Co-composed by Schweiger, Paul Maurice and Stephen Butchard, the film concentrates on a psychologically troubled former elite soldier who rescues a teenage orphan, really the only witness with a murder, from deadly assassins. It's lensing in Berlin that has a lot more filming planned for Brighton, England. The film co-stars Schweiger's 15-year-old daughter Luna Schweiger, who's set to reprise her role inside the remake plus a u . s . states cast. Also starring inside the German version are Moritz Bleibtreu, Hannah Herzsprung, Heiner Lauterbach and Karoline Schuch. The pic marks a large change of pace for Schweiger, which has loved huge success getting a string of romantic comedies lately, like the "Rabbit Without Ears" franchise and several recently "Kokowaah," which acquired some $40 million within the German box office a year ago, which causes it to be 2011's best local pic and also the other major hit for Warners. Contact Erection dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

Naomi W to see Princess Diana

Naomi W remains set to see the late Princess Diana in approaching pic ''Caught Flying,'' directed by ''Downfall'' helmer Oliver Hirschbiegel. Pic, that's produced by U.K. shingle Ecosse Films, is founded on a script by Stephen Jeffreys. Story focuses on the ultimate couple of years in the Princess' existence and charts how finding true personal happiness the first time allowed her to achieve her accomplishments altering in to a major worldwide campaigner and humanitarian. Production round the pic is predicted to begin in Blighty later this year. W, who'll next be seen starring in ''The Impossible'' alongside Ewan McGregor, mentioned: ''It is actually an recognition to be capable of play this legendary role -- Princess Diana was loved around the world which i anticipate rising for the challenge of playing her on-screen.''Ecosse Films, headed up by Douglas Rae and Robert Bernstein, recently produced Andrea Arnold's adaptation of ''Wuthering Levels.''The duo are presently concentrating on another royal pic, ''Girls Balancing,'' toplining Juno Temple and Alexandra Roach, which HanWay Films is selling at EFM. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

'Mormon' tops box office

"It of Mormon" hit No. 1 round the Broadway top the other day -- which is something from the miracle. Sure, Tony-sweeper "Mormon" ($1,455,329) is really a offered out hit since last spring, and sky-popular for tickets has pressed the normal cost paid out per ducat to the stratosphere. Nevertheless the show's overall weekly tallies are restricted because when large its venue, the Eugene O'Neill Theater, which at under 1,100 seats substantially hampers the gross potential when compared to, say, "Wicked," the extended-running hit in the theater of a single,800 seats. But the other day, "Mormon," undampened having a slow winter week that saved sales below componen at many productions round the boards, enhanced round the prior frame, broke another house record and showed up in this area before "Wicked" ($1,349,433), "Spider-Guy: Turn Off the Dark" ($1,268,002) and "The Lion King" ($1,226,681). In the mark in the ongoing curiosity about "Mormon," average cost paid out per ticket hit a walloping $166. That's means by front from the second-finest per-ticket average drenched for your week, $109, reported at Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center Theater's hit play "War Equine" ($860,311). Inside the chilliest frames of Broadway's annual winter slump, basically a really handful of productions the other day saw B.O. rise inside the prior sesh, as well as the handful to get this done -- "Sister Act" ($482,863), "Seminar" ($380,701) and "Wit" ($244,728), within the first days time after opening -- upticked only slightly. Despite everything, "Porgy and Bess" ($905,134) seems to own established itself just like a solid artist when faced using the Street's overall downward trend. It is really an open question if sales will further rise along with the tourist tide later this spring. Overall sales fell $2.4 million near to $15 million for 23 shows round the board. The B.O. declines aren't an unexpected to legiters, who spend the season girding themselves for your tough occasions that hit the main Stem following a holiday boom. A year ago at this time around around, sales had wound up near to $12 million for 19 productions running. Attendance also was lower the other day, falling by about 25,000 to 179,706. Still, that's well while watching 145,000 theatergoers drenched a year ago at this time around around, and last week's average capacity of 78% showed up in this area while watching 73% released this season. A year ago it absolutely was around this time around around that B.O. began to obtain on an outing. When the same is true inside the coming week remains to look. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Hirai takes reins in the new the new sony

Kazuo Hirai has transformed Howard Stringer as prexy-Boss in the new the new sony.Tokyo, japan, japan -- The brand new the new sony features the appointment of executive v . p . Kazuo Hirai becasue it is new prexy and Boss, altering Howard Stringer, who'll stick to as board chairman. Hirai will formally assume command on April 1, while Stringer is skedded to think about his new duties on June 2012. Departing comments round the extended-anticipated move, Stringer known to his successor as "a globally focused executive to whom technology as well as the cloud are conversant territory, distribution are desired, and digital transformation is second character. For me his tough-mindedness and leadership capabilities will probably be beneficial towards the organization which is clients inside the several days and years ahead." While improving Stringer on his "strong leadership" throughout his seven years towards the top, Hirai defined their very own program for your electronics giant's future: "To operate a vehicle the expansion within our core electronics companies -- mainly digital imaging, smart mobile and game to exhibit across the television business also to accelerate the innovation that enables us to create home based business domains.Inch Hirai, who was simply anointed as Stringer's successor after shaking up Sony's once-troubled game operation and being promoted in your thoughts in the consumer products and services division last March, might have his work eliminate for him: The brand new the new sony features a corporate worth about one-fifth exactly what it is at the turn in the millennium since it lost to Apple, Samsung together with other rivals. The brand new the new sony will announce its October-December earnings on Thursday, then it's prone to confirm a young forecast for just about any fourth-straight year of internet deficits, together with its eighth straight year at an adverse balance due to its core TV biz. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com